General Networking/Lan/Wan/can connect to my home network but cant access the internet.

QuestionQUESTION: I have a Toshiba p105-s6147. It sees my network but it says unidentified network. My os is windows vista home edition. I've uninstalled the drivers and reinstalled them. I've tried updating them but it says I have the latest version. My phone is connected to it no issues. I have avast anti virus protection. I have the widows firewall off.

ANSWER: Hi Jamie,

Ok well this is just basic "troubleshooting 101".

What we know? Your wireless network "works", at least in some sense - because your phone likes it.
What don't we know? Does your Toshiba Satellite notebook work with OTHER wireless networks????

Ok. So, let's test that out. Take your Toshiba to a friends house, a starbucks, whatever - and see if you can connect on a wireless network outside your house.

If you CAN connect then it's probably your wireless router - you didn't state which one you are using but perhaps it's old? Thing is a new router is probably at least $25-30, and they can run a lot more than that, etc. So - Even IF your notebook DOES work outside your house ... it's STILL probably the easiest and lowest cost solution to "get a USB wireless adapter" for your notebook - instead of upgrading your router.

But ... if you decide that a router upgrade is advantageous, make sure you buy one that supports B/G/N and not only B/G. N is much faster and has much greater range. I like brands like linksys, netgear, asus. Stay away from dlink - they make low quality stuff. newegg.com has a great selection and customer reviews.

QUESTION: thankyou for answering my question. i can connect to an unsecured network and get internet access. so it connects to other networks no problems. i was thinking about buying one of those adapters and see if i can bypass it. what kind would you recommend?

AnswerHi Jamie,

Please bear in mind that I don't own one. But if I were to buy one, it would probably be a model from TP-Link, Edimax or Asus. And I'd make sure to get one that supports B/G/N - not only B/G. I'd also recommend spending $10-20 instead of trying to buy one for under $10.